Pages

Monday, January 30, 2012

So the desk. It's not done. Almost. But there has been a little fabric snafu so I am delaying the reveal for another day or two.

But that doesn't mean I wasn't organizing something.

We recently moved our master bedroom back into the almost finished lower level, so we are slowly figuring out what is working and what isn't. The other evening, my helpful hubs was putting away some linens he had just folded and started taking our towels to the laundry room linen cabinet. We keep our puppy towels in there, but not ours. This is why I keep organizing. Something apparently wasn't connecting. I know that if I need a towel before/after my shower, I am not going to happily hop across the chilly lower level to the laundry room. Just leaving the spare stack on the top of the hamper wasn't such a great solution either. So, I decided this was my moment to look at how we were using the entire space.

I noticed two things.

1. The floating shelf we had installed seemed to have switched from a perfume shelf to a catch all for my daily toiletries, and was a bit of a cluttered mess:

2. We weren't really being smart about how we were using our tall bathroom cabinet:

So, back to Target I went where I went straight for those stinkin' adorable plastic basket-weave bins I had spotted on my last shopping trip.

When I organize, I start by giving myself a blank slate. I emptied the cabinet and the shelf and wiped them clean.

Then, I put the towels in first since I knew that is the main reason for the change. Our spare set of towels will now live on the shelf. And all those toiletries that once cluttered the back of the toilet, now live in one of the new baskets.

In fact, I thought "his" and "hers" baskets would be the most effective. So we each got one...

The white basket on top is where we are keeping the overflow packaging of cotton swabs and cotton pads from our canisters that are on display.

Since I was now left with an empty floating shelf, I knew it was the perfect place to set out some bath salts. Right within reach of the tub.

Not only is the bathroom space now being used in a more effective manner, it just feels better. I love when a mini-update has such a big impact on the entire space.

Have I mentioned how much IHeart Organizing?

Total cost:
Two teal baskets from Target: $12
Three acrylic canisters for bath salts: $12

Anyone else tackle a quick project this weekend that left them smiling every minute after? What "A Ha" moment drove you to re-think a space?

I love your towels!! I had a quick redo last week too! I love those moments where you can take a few minutes to reorganize and it makes a huge difference! You can read my post here.... http://caracciolofam.blogspot.com/2012/01/little-oragnization.html

Looks awesome! (Well the before looked awesome too, but I can totally identify with the whole "it just FEELS better now" concept.)

Had an exciting organizing moment this weekend and I thought of you :o). I was pawing through a cupboard and getting frustrated with a pile of interchangeable plates for my sandwich maker that were trying to make a getaway. I ran up to my (newly organized) craft room and found a basket that was the exact length and height of the plates and fit them perfectly!

I might have done a fist pump. Or let out a "woo-hoo!". Or both.

I tried to get my husband to share in my excitement, and bless his heart he really tried, but I think only other fellow organizer-junkies can really identify with this kind of excitement! Yay shopping in my own home!

Yes, great job making more use of your available space. I would LOVE to have beautiful cabinet space in our bathroom like you have. I recently organized our outside-the-bathroom closet with 'his' and 'her' plastic bins, and it's such a great solution for keeping our many grooming products organized. I absolutely love your towels! The pattern and color really adds a lot to your well-designed bathroom.

I saw those same blue and green baskets when I was at Target on Friday (buying new baskets to organize our kid DVD collection - it's SO MUCH better now!) and I thought of you immediately! Too funny! : )

Sigh - I have been coveting that floating wall shelf for some time now - SO many things I could do with one or two, or three... But sadly cannot find ANYTHING like it anywhere on the internet (and no longer at Target where you found it, dangit-all). The search continues...

That said, glad you aren't keeping your perfumes there anymore - I've read many places that the moist, warm air of the bathroom is the worst place for perfumes (just like it's bad for your medicines).

Thanks for all your inspiration - I know it's fun work for you, but it's still work, and so very, very appreciated.

I love your cabinet. We don't have the space for one like that in either of our bathrooms, but I want to get one of the over the toilet cabinets for each of ours. I think that would help with the loads of clutter we have on and under our bathroom sinks!

The towels are from HomeGoods and the rug is from West Elm: http://www.westelm.com/products/zig-zag-bath-mat-b608/?pkey=cbathroom-furniture-accessories We were using just a small bath mat that we moved back and forth between the shower and the sink and I had been searching for almost a year for a good option. I am happy to report I LOVE it.

Much practical I'm sure...in the pics the nail polish remove bottle seems to be an eye sore in the cabinet especially since in the top shelf..maybe you can swap out the bottle for something cuter yet just as effective in concealing the strong acetone smell.

The rug is from West Elm: http://www.westelm.com/products/zig-zag-bath-mat-b608/?pkey=cbathroom-furniture-accessories We were using just a small bath mat that we moved back and forth between the shower and the sink and I had been searching for almost a year for a good option. I am happy to report I LOVE it.

Hi Jen, I couldn't seem to find this sink on the link, unless I am just having trouble identifying the sink from a different angle! Do you remember the name of the product that I can search for? Thank you!~Carmella

Great idea! Because of your inspiration, I also use baskets for our daily toiletries and store them in the cabinet under the sink. Btw, what do you store under the sink, cleaning supplies maybe? (just curious)

The towels are from HomeGoods and the rug is from West Elm: http://www.westelm.com/products/zig-zag-bath-mat-b608/?pkey=cbathroom-furniture-accessories We were using just a small bath mat that we moved back and forth between the shower and the sink and I had been searching for almost a year for a good option. I am happy to report I LOVE it.

I have the same bathroom cabinet, and I've used those baskets elsewhere in the kitchen for storing our medicine on a high kid-proof shelf. Hadn't thought of putting them here, but this would solve a big organizational problem for us. Thanks for the tip!

I have been given permission by my hubby to totally redo my office. I mean gut the entire thing and totally redo it. I am thinking of the wall color in your livingroom with white desk with the teal color baskets from Target. Do you think those colors will go together nicely? Please let me know your opinion. You are the reseason I want to redo my entire room. Thanks!

I think they would go fabulously together. In fact, I have quite a bit of teal in my living room and I keep trying to find more reasons to bring it in since I love it so much! I would love to see your new space when it's all wrapped up!

Love the cabinet - have you thought of frosting the glass? Now that it's for storage, and not display mabye it will camoflauge the standard store bought bottles a bit more (deoderant - polish remover, etc.)- Meggen

I found your blog and love it. It is crazy how we have so many of the same things! Usually just in different colors. I had found your kitchen postings at first and we actually even have the same kitchen...it is weird. But, makes my organization updates even easier since we have the exact same taste. thanks!

We actually have an "over the door" hook which I use to hang our daily towels and my robe. The towels in the cabinet are just an extra set since I launder and switch them out frequently. I like to keep two sets of towels total per person.

So you leave a folded towel above the covered toilet seat while you shower then reach down to grab it...why not add a nice hook to the tiny wall space that is by the shower curtain so your towel can be hanging and you can reach for it vs. having to reach down and grab it and wet the floor?

Nope, it's hanging on the bathroom door, nothing near the toilet. I grab it off of the back of the door and set it on a hamper cabinet next to the tub while I shower and it's right there when I get out. Then, I hang it back on the hook behind our bathroom door to dry until the next day. The folded towels are in the cabinet for storage purposes only, so when my every day towel is being laundered, I can pull the clean one from the cabinet and hang it on the hook. And repeat.... Hope that makes more sense.

haha! I don't know why this exchange made me laugh...Thank you, Jen, for sharing intimate household/personal routines. I think that's part of the reason why your readers love you! This blog is different in that each post really is a small piece of a bigger picture...and I need the big picture (broken into the small parts)! lol! My favorite organizational posts of yours are the ones that deal with your own home because I can start to piece together how a super-organized woman lives her life. :-)

Awesome as usual! You always inspire me to tinker on something whenever I read your blog posts :) We are finishing our own bathroom redo & my favorite little geek-out accessories are our new towel hooks. I think they're called "clever hooks," and they actually pinch & hold the towels when you hang them up -- you can literally just toss the towel at them and they'll catch it! Definitely motivates the hubby to hang up his stuff :) We'll be tackling our cabinets next, and I am definitely checking our Target for those baskets! Any chance you'll be posting anything on organizing hair styling tools?

I had my "a-ha" moment last weekend, but didn't have the time to put it into action yet. Hopefully this weekend I will. But I realized that I need baskets in our very small pantry closet because things just never go back in the right spot and we are both to blame. I hate when I buy something to just find out that we did have it in the pantry but because it wasn't organized I couldn't see it quick enough. So I have one extra basket {just like the white one that you have} and I might need another one, but we will see how many things can fit into the one basket I already have. The one thing I did do recently was out Linen Closet. Just couldn't take the mess anymore. You can check it out here if you want to see what makes me smile every time I go in the closet. http://www.thedecorscene.blogspot.com/2012/01/sometimes-you-just-have-to-purge.html

I also had this little change up in our bathroom. Almost forgot about this one. http://www.thedecorscene.blogspot.com/2012/01/little-switch-roo.html

With five kids that are going to be sharing a bathroom, finding excellent (and tested!) bathroom solutions are a must. I love the simple changes you did that make such a difference in functionality, mindset, and form. :)

I love what you did with your bathroom! You inspired me to get my little tush to Target today to peek around at some of their organizing options. I could barely handle myself when I saw about 15 different types of baskets/organizers in their dollar spot section!! I scored some adorable white baskets that I am going to put in each of our 3 bathrooms to corral cleaning supplies. Thanks for being so inspiring! :)

hi, jen! just a note to let you know i, too, heart organizing, & i heart your blog! really, it shows up in my inbox at just the right time of day - late afternoon, as my energy & motivation are waning. it's the perfect pick-me-up! beautiful work, as ever - thanks for your continuing inspiration! :)

I'm soooo happy to have found your blog! I'm gonna try to get myself motivated to start copying your fabulousness but to be honest...I'd rather pay YOU to work your magic in my house. Heehee!!!! Seriously, though, thank you for the inspiration. God has blessed you with a great gift of organization. Jesus take the wheel and help me get started. Haleluyer!

I LOVE it! I actually love everything about your house but that's besides the point :) I have been wanting those bins as well and actually this morning I went and splurged and got some! I used two of them to help organize some bathroom drawers!

I actually did the same thing this weekend with his and hers baskets. I got fabric ones from Walmart which served a dual purpose of clearing the counter clutter and streamlining my morning routine without having to dig through my husband's stuff too. Definitely useful! :)

I love your bathroom and I absolutely love your blog! It's inspiring me to organize little by little. By the way, I have been searching for a pretty white shower curtain, would you mind telling me where you got yours? I love it!

I always look forward to your post and it give me so many Ideas for my home. Love the new change to the bathroom! I recently reorganized my master closet and love the way it turned out. http://doubletheblessings-amyh.blogspot.com/2012/01/master-closet-organization.html

I too love organizing! I love how it's an ever changing process. New organizing options to make things work better as needs change. Last week I updated/organized our bathroom. We have only 1 bathroom in our home and it's TINY! We also only have 1 tiny linen closet in the hallway. I already try to have limited towels due to the limited space, but still, it wasn't working. I found a white woven basket at Lowes for $8, had the hubby attach the bottom of it to the wall (also added a piece of metal spray painted white to add stability) above our above the toilet medicine cabinent. I am able to place 4 of our full size towels up there, folded flat. I attemped rolling them, but it didn't look as put together. Love all of your posts Jen!!

Jen, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity. I was doing an organizing project with my mom last week (you've inspired me a lot) and I told her about you. I commented that you just seem to know what to do with things and spaces. It's truly a gift - one I'm trying to teach myself. I LOVE that rug - going to check it out myself. I'm in Canada so we don't have Target "yet" (coming in 2013) but we do have West Elm. I look forward to your post everyday - keep up the great (inspiring) work!

Hi Jen - another wonderful makeover as always. You have definitely given me inspiration to tackle my bathroom. I'm curious about the color on your bathroom wall-would you mind sharing the name of the paint color and where it was purchased from. As always I look forward to your next adventure...Maria:)

Do you happen to know the bottom dimensions of those baskets? I'm looking for a tray or basket for the top of our bathroom counter because the multi-compartment organizer I had there was not a good solution for us.

So I got totally inspired yesterday from your post and went out to Target before work and picked up the same two teal baskets for my bathroom and plan to designate one for my bathroom goodies and one for my bf's goodies! I am so excited and loved this idea!!! Thanks again Jen for being soooo crafty!

as usual a mini update is as good as a major update from you Jen! I love those little aha moments also.. am I allowed to offer a suggestion on your posts? you know how you put the cost of things? maybe it would be good to list the items (ie towels and cabinet etc) that you have in the space so save repeat questions? so you could have an inventory list even if it is an old product.. I know it our australian home beautiful magazine they put together a page (of how to put this look together) and tell you where you might find similar items.. that is a lot of work but maybe for a big project you could do that and for the small ones just a small inventory list.. I love waking up to find a new post from you! thanks xx

I've been reading (stalking) your blog the past couple of months and I think sub-consciously, you're the reason we re-organized our living room. It's a really strange shape... longer than it is wide, but with a fireplace on the longest wall and directly across from it is a wide opening into the Dining Room. We learned that the loveseat AND sofa we bought before we moved in were too much furniture for the room, but we won't live here forever, so we just set it up the best way we could. I noticed that our coffee table was one of the first surfaces you saw when you walked in, so it became a catch-all. I followed the advice of one of your posts and put a nice wicker tray on the coffee table for things like remotes, etc. It made a HUGE difference. Secondly, with the new set-up, the left side of the sofa was completely out of reach of any surface to rest a drink on. I found a really cute faux-leather ottoman, that doubles as storage with a hinged top and put a wooden tray on top to act as a surface for a drink (with a coaster, of course). The best part is it's the ideal place to store our throw blanket when not in use. I adore the new set-up and only cost us the price of the ottoman, as I had everything else on-hand. You've been a HUGE inspiration. I've tackled so many other projects in the past couple of months, so thanks! :)

The bath mat is from Anthropologie a few years back and the chevron rug is from West Elm: http://www.westelm.com/products/zig-zag-bath-mat-b608/?pkey=cbathroom-furniture-accessories We were using just the small bath mat that we moved back and forth between the shower and the sink and I had been searching for almost a year for a good option. I am happy to report I LOVE it.

Awe Jen, I L-O-V-E your blog and reading all the "extras" in the comments. Like another person commented thanks for sharing those little things like where are the towels while you take a shower. :) I have more "invade your personal space" question--where do you keep the tooth brushes now? They aren't on the sink in after picture that I can see. Thanks! Renea.

The toothbrushes are now stored in the left drawer below the sink. I heard once that flushing the toilet throws bacteria into the air {and I know that my three boys don't always remember to shut the toilet lid before flushing, ew}, so now we are always sure to keep our toothbrushes concealed in any bathroom.

IHeart you taking a moment to comment! Although I absolutely appreciate, consider and read each and every comment, I will remove any comment that I believe to be inappropriate, malicious or spam like. This blog is my happy place, let's keep the drama at bay!

Don't see your comment? All comments are moderated and may take a moment to appear.